News Report 17 June 2020
Local
1. Philippines records 364 new COVID-19 cases, highest single-day recoveries at 301
CNN Philippines, 16 June 2020
Yesterday’s record climbs up to 364, bringing the total number of recorded COVID- 19 cases to 26,781 as of Tuesday. Meanwhile, the death toll is now at 1,103, while total recoveries have reached 6,552, the highest-single day recoveries being 301.
2. Rody to tackle quarantine with business groups
The Philippine Star, 17 June 2020, p. 1, continued on p. 4
In a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, President Duterte stated that they will decide quarantine measures after he meets with businessmen and discuss possible adjustments to be made in reopening the economy.
3. Navy welcomes first missile-capable warship
The Philippine Star, 17 June 2020, p. 10
On Monday, the Philippine Navy welcomed its first missile-capable warship, which is now docked in Subic, Zambales. It shall be named BRP Jose Rizal (FF150). The ship was contracted with South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).
President Duterte is anticipated to come to the event as the guest of honor and speaker once a schedule is announced.
Korea
4. North Korea blows up inter-Korean liaison office near border with South
The Philippine Star, 17 June 2020, p. 12
The South’s Unification ministry stated on Tuesday that North Korea blew up an inter-Korean liaison office on its side of the border at 14:49. The incident happened after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, said at the weekend that soon, a tragic scene of the useless north-south joint liaison office completely collapsed would be seen.
5.
US embassy in Seoul removes ‘Black Lives Matter’ banner The Manila Times, 17 June 2020, p. 5
After running into conflict of Donald Trump’s administration, the US embassy in South Korea removed its banners of ‘Black Lives Matter’ and gay pride. After the killing of African American George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, the embassy put up its banner of ‘Black Lives Matter’ which meant to show support for the fight against racial injustice and police brutality.
Economic
6. PH moves notch higher in world competitiveness
The Manila Times, 17 June 2020, p. B2
From 46th place in 2019, the Philippines moves to 45th place this year out of 63 countries ranked in overall competitiveness and ability to produce prosperity. Overall, Singapore remains to be on top of the rankings as the most competitive.
